Chiropractor Career
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Chiropractor Job Description
Chiropractors or chiropractic physicians diagnose and treat patients suffering from health problems related to the muscular, skeletal and nervous systems.
Chiropractors believe that an obstruction / impairment of these systems, affects the body’s normal functioning and also weakens its resistance. Spinal dysfunction impacts vital body functions by affecting the nervous system; and a skeletal imbalance occurring due to joint dysfunction causes pain.
They tackle issues like: carpal tunnel syndrome, lower back pain, body stiffness, muscle pains, etc.
The chiropractor’s approach to health care is holistic, exhaustive and focuses on the patient’s overall health and well being. They state that a host of factors influence health – diet, exercise, rest, environment, and heredity.
Chiropractic physicians offer natural, drug-less, non-surgical therapeutic options and help stimulate the body’s intrinsic healing abilities. They also advise lifestyle modifications, such as: diet and eating patterns, exercise, rest, sleeping habits, etc. When required, chiropractors seek advice from, and refer patients to other health professionals.
Chiropractor Skills/Duties
Chiropractors collect information/data they need for the diagnosis and treatment. They take the patient’s medical history, make physical, neurological, and orthopedic examinations and assessments, and may ask for certain investigations to be performed. X rays and other diagnostic images (CT scans, MRI and sonography) are important tools for a chiropractor. Chiropractors also make use of spinal and postural examinations for the diagnosis.
When there is impairment to the musculo-skeletal structures, chiropractors manually re-align the spinal column. This is a part of the treatment program and needs to be done with complete precision and care.
Some chiropractic physicians incorporate water therapy, light therapy, massage, ultrasound, electric, acupressure, acupuncture, and heat therapy in their treatment programs. They also use supports like straps and braces.
When performing massage or any other soft tissue therapy, the chiropractor has to keep in mind that he is dealing with delicate body parts and any slip-up could lead to grave complications.
Planning and discussing an appropriate and patient-oriented management plan is an important duty of a chiropractor. A talk with the patient regarding the treatment makes him conscious about his problem and prepares him for the treatment. They also guide patients about diet and nutrition, regular exercise, certain lifestyle changes, facilitation for long term recovery and optimal stress management, but do not prescribe drugs or perform surgery.
Chiropractor Education and Training
• To become a chiropractor, it takes nearly 6 to 8 years, depending on the program.
• It requires 4 years of pre-medical education, followed by 4 years of chiropractic education, which comprises of physiology, anatomy, rehabilitation and public health courses.
• An internship and supplementary clinical hours with about 4200 hours of on-job experience are a part of the education process.
• The standard method to be a licensed chiropractor is to acquire the training and degree from an accredited school, pass the national exam, and apply for the license in the state you wish to practice in.
Chiropractor Job Outlook
Employment is projected to increase faster than average. This is because of the changing attitudes of the people with respect to alternative health care practices. Job prospects look good and establishing a new practice will be easier in areas with a low concentration of chiropractors.
Chiropractor Salary
The salary of a chiropractic physician depends largely on his/her experience, qualifications, type of practice and geographical location.
According to the American Chiropractic Association, the mean salary for a chiropractor in the United States is $86,500 per year.
As is the case with most private practices, a chiropractor’s earnings are low in the beginning, but pick up as the practice grows.
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